Locking device with signal structure

ABSTRACT

A device in a vehicle for locking and unlocking a locking pin of a component includes using a locking hook that cooperates non-positively or positively with the locking pin to provide an unlocked position and a locked position. The locking hook is actuated between the unlocked position and the locked position by an actuating component. The device includes a signaling means for emitting a mechanical signal to at least one of another of the device and a display. The signaling means is connected to and cooperates with the actuating component to emit the mechanical signal.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED PATENT APPLICATIONS

The present application is a Continuation of International ApplicationNo. PCT/EP2006/050849, filed Feb. 10, 2006, which claims the benefit ofGerman Patent Application No. DE 10 2005 006 565.1, filed Feb. 11, 2005.The entire disclosures of International Application No.PCT/EP2006/050849 and German Patent Application No. DE 10 2005 006 565.1are incorporated herein by reference.

BACKGROUND

The present application generally relates to devices for locking andunlocking a locking pin of a vehicle component, especially of a backrestof a motor vehicle seat.

Modern seating arrangements in vehicles, especially in motor vehicles,should have good comfort properties and a high degree of flexibility.For example, a user should be able to increase, with few handles andeasily, the available loading volume of a motor vehicle by folding theseating arrangement up. In the case of folding seating arrangements, asecurely locked seating arrangement is desirable. It is furtherdesirable to provide a securely locking seating arrangement after theseating arrangement has been returned to its initial state, so that inthe event of an accident, the crash loads occurring are able to beabsorbed by the seat locks.

SUMMARY

One embodiment relates to a device in a vehicle for locking andunlocking a locking pin of a component includes using a locking hookthat cooperates non-positively or positively with the locking pin toprovide an unlocked position and a locked position. The locking hook isactuated between the unlocked position and the locked position by anactuating component. The device includes a signaling means for emittinga mechanical signal to at least one of another of the device and adisplay. The signaling means is connected to and cooperates with theactuating component to emit the mechanical signal.

There is further provided a device in a vehicle for locking andunlocking a locking pin of a component using a locking hook thatcooperates non-positively or positively with the locking pin to providean unlocked position and a locked position. The locking hook is actuatedbetween the unlocked position and the locked position by an actuatingcomponent. The device includes a signaling means configured to receive amechanical signal from at least one of a vehicle control and another ofthe device. The signaling means is connected to the actuating componentand the actuating component is configured to actuate based on thereceived mechanical signal. The vehicle control and the another of thedevice are not directly associated with the component or the device.

There is yet further provided a device for locking and unlocking abackrest of a motor vehicle seat. A signaling means for receiving amechanical signal from at least one of a vehicle control, another of thedevice, and a display. The signaling means is provided in addition to aprimary actuating means of the device. The signaling means and theprimary actuating means are both connected to an actuating component ofthe device that actuates the device between an unlocked position and alocked position. The actuating component is configured to actuate basedon the received mechanical signal. The signaling means connects andcooperates in parallel with the actuating component.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The application will become more fully understood from the followingdetailed description, taken in conjunction with the accompanyingfigures, in which:

FIG. 1 shows a device with a locking hook according to an exemplaryembodiment.

FIG. 2 shows a sectional view of the device of FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 shows a side view of a device with a sliding element according toan exemplary embodiment.

FIG. 4 shows a device with a sliding element according to anotherexemplary embodiment.

FIG. 5 shows a device having the locking hook being located in thelocked position according to an exemplary embodiment.

FIG. 6 shows an encased locking hook with a raised portion in a contactregion of the locking hook with the locking pin.

FIG. 7 shows the device of FIG. 1 with a signaling means according to anexemplary embodiment.

FIG. 8 shows an application of the device with a signaling meansaccording to an exemplary embodiment.

DESCRIPTION

The present application generally relates to a device for locking andunlocking a locking pin of a component, especially of a backrest of amotor vehicle seat. The device includes a locking hook and an actuatingcomponent. The locking hook cooperates non-positively and/or positivelywith the locking pin. In a locked position, the locking hook is secured.By rotating the actuating component, the locking hook is rotated into anunlocked position. The device may further include a locking pawl and asliding element. The locking hook of the device may be encased.

One embodiment of the invention relates to a device for locking andunlocking the backrest of a seat of a motor vehicle. The device may beeasily operated and provide security for the user in the event of acrash. The device may provide uniform locking forces at a variety oftemperature ranges. Tolerances such as component tolerances andmanufacturing tolerances may be compensated for while providing a devicewhich has minimal clearance between certain components and is thereforequiet.

The device may include a signaling means, by means of which it is ableto emit and/or receive a mechanical signal relating to the state of thedevice or another component to which the device relates. For example,the device may emit external mechanical signals, for example, positionsignals, occupancy signals or locking states of the device. According toother exemplary embodiments, the device may receive position signals,occupancy signals or locking signals from other devices.

According to various exemplary embodiments, the signaling means isconnected in parallel with the actuating component and cooperatestherewith. An actuation of the actuating component may be directlydisplayed on the signaling means. An actuation of the signaling meansmay also act directly on the actuating component.

According to an exemplary embodiment, the mechanical signal includes thelocked position and/or the unlocked position of the locking hook, sothat the position state may be displayed to the user, indicating, forexample, whether the device is securely locked.

The device may be connected in parallel with a further device,especially another device according to the invention, the mechanicalsignal being used to synchronize the devices.

The further device with which the device may be synchronized could beany device. The state of the further device may be altered depending onthe locking of the device according to the signal, or the deviceaccording to the invention being intended to be locked or unlocked,depending on the state thereof.

The synchronization activity may include a simultaneous actuation of atleast two devices, of which at least one device is a device according tothe invention. The synchronization activity may also include theoverlaying of signals. The signals overlaid may be, for example, signalssuch as position signals, occupancy signals or locking states of adevice possibly not according to the invention.

The device may include a display means, by means of which the mechanicalsignal may be displayed so that a user may react immediately when anunsecured locking is displayed.

The locking hook may be reversibly rotated by the force provided by, forexample, a force means to move the locking hook from the locked positioninto the unlocked position. The locked position may be held in place bythe force means. The force means may be a spring, by means of which thelocking hook may be coupled to the actuating component.

According to an exemplary embodiment, the device has a locking pawlwhich may be reversibly adjusted from a release position into a securedposition. In the locking pawl's secured position, the pawl secures thelocking hook in its locked position. The locking position may thereby bemaintained even in the event of a crash. The locking pawl may allow anoptimal flux of force and thus a high-load-bearing capacity of thedevice.

According to various exemplary embodiments, the actuating componentincludes an adjusting means which, when actuated, only cooperates withthe locking pawl after a rotation by a safety angle, so that aninadvertent deflection of the actuating component by powerfulacceleration forces, for example, by vibrations or in the event of anaccident, does not lead to the adjustment of the locking pawl into therelease position. The actuating component is preferably mass balancedand also preferably of substantially disk-shaped configuration. Forexample, the rotational axis, about which the actuating component isactuated, extends through the center of gravity of the actuatingcomponent. As a result, the actuating component is particularlyinsensitive relative to lateral force acceleration.

The rotation of the locking hook from the unlocked position into thelocked position is possible independently of the adjustment of thelocking pawl from the release position into the secured position,especially as the locking hook and the locking pawl are not coupled toone another, for example, by a spring. In this case, however, thelocking hook is not locked in the locked position.

The adjustment of the locking pawl from the release position into thesecured position, may be controlled by a mechanical signal of a furtherdevice.

As the signaling means is connected in parallel with the actuatingcomponent, it may display the position of the locking pawl. As a result,by means of the mechanical signal, either an unsecured locking may bedisplayed or the locking may be intentionally prevented by means of amechanical signal, for example, when a further device is not locked.Moreover, the signaling means allows the display of a secured lockingand/or intentional unlocking of the device. The signaling means may alsoenable the unlocking of the device with other devices simultaneously.

The device may further include a sliding element by means of which theclearance between the locking pin and the locking hook may be reduced inthe locked position. As a result, the device may experience or produceless rattling, especially when driving over uneven terrain. Moreover,the sliding element may allow the user to lock the device in a simpleand uniform manner.

The sliding element may include a second force means. The force providedby the second force means may retain the locking hook in the lockedposition with the locking pin. The force of the second force means maybe substantially independent of the ambient temperature. The slidingelement and second force means may provide for locking to be uniform andremain substantially the same, even at extreme temperatures.

According to an exemplary embodiment, the locking hook is at leastpartially encased, for example, by a plastics material. As a result, aresilient effect is achieved during locking, which may provide a simpleand secure engagement of the locking pawl.

The encasing may include notches and/or bulged portions. The notchesand/or bulged portions of the encasing may reduce the clearance betweenthe locking pin and the locking hook, especially in the locked position,whereby a further noise reduction of the device may be effected.

A motor vehicle seat may include the device, according to variousexemplary embodiments. The motor vehicle seat including the device mayassist the user with a display on which it is displayed to the userwhether the motor vehicle seat is securely locked. The device mayprovide for uniform locking which remains the same at all temperatureranges. The device may also be operated easily and quietly and withoutrattling during the journey.

FIG. 1 shows a device according to an exemplary embodiment. The deviceincludes a locking hook 1. The locking hook 1 in views a and b is in thelocked position, while in views c and d it is in the unlocked position.In the locked position, the locking hook 1 cooperates positively and/ornon-positively with the locking pawl 2, so that the locking hook 1 issecured in the locked position. An actuating component 4 is rotated byactuating an actuating means 6. The actuating component 4 includes anadjusting means 9, in this case a slot. The adjusting means 9 cooperateswith the locking pawl 2 via a cam 21, whereby the locking pawl 2 may berotated from a secured position to a release position. In the securedposition, locking hook 1 is secured by the locking pawl 2 in the lockedposition. In the release position, locking hook 1 is no longer securedby the locking pawl 2 in the locked position. Hereinafter, the terms“adjusting means 9” and “slot” may be used synonymously.

Force means 5, in this case a (tension) spring, includes a first end 51provided on the actuating component 4 and a second end 52 provided onthe locking hook 1. The force provided by force means 5 may pull thelocking hook 1 along the contour 20 of the locking pawl 2 into theunlocked position.

The locking hook 1, the locking pawl 2, as well as the actuatingcomponent 4, are arranged rotatably on a base plate 3. In the unlockedposition, the locking hook 1 bears with a second stop 14 against thebase plate 3. Moreover, the locking hook 1 includes a first stop 13which occasionally bears, in the locked position, against the base plate3.

The arrangement shown of the locking hook 1 and locking pawl 2 may allowa good flux of force and thus high load bearing, especially in the eventof an accident. The arrangement may also provide for good tolerancecompensation. For example, a tolerance compensation in the range ofapproximately +/−3 mm and +/−7 mm is possible. The arrangement is robustrelative to its crash behavior, especially with regard tomultidirectional acceleration.

The mass of the actuating component 4 is evenly distributed and theactuating component is substantially disk-shaped, so that the actuatingcomponent 4 is relatively insensitive to lateral force acceleration.Moreover, the actuating component 4 is adjusted to the locking pawl 2such that the actuating component 4 releases the locking pawl 2 by meansof the slot 9 only after rotating past a safety angle which preferablyis 2°-15°. Thus, it is ensured that sufficiently idle stroke range ispresent so that the locking pawl 2 does not release the locking hook 1inadvertently, for example, due to a large load, in particular, in theevent of a crash. Mass balanced and disk-shaped actuating component 4may also be relatively insensitive to multidirectional acceleration andthus may ensure a secure locking of the locking hook 1 in the lockedposition.

According to an exemplary embodiment, after locking pawl 2 has beenmoved to a release position as a result of the rotation of the actuatingcomponent 4, the lightly pretensioned spring 5 is further tensioned andpulls the locking hook 1 along the contour 20 of the locking pawl 2 intothe unlocked position. The contour of the locking hook 1 may correspondto the contour 20 of the locking pawl 2 so that the locking pawl 2maintains its release position when locking hook 1 is in the unlockedposition and when the locking hook 1 is rotated from the unlockedposition into the locked position.

The spring 5 couples the locking hook 1 to the actuating component 4.The locking pawl is, however, not spring-loaded. The rotation of thelocking hook 1 from the unlocked position into the locked position isthus possible independent of the securing of the locking hook 1 by meansof the locking pawl 2, i.e. independent of the rotation of the lockingpawl 2 from the release position into the secured position, and thusalso independent of the rotation of the actuating component 4. Thelocking hook thus remains, however, unsecured.

FIG. 2 shows a sectional view of the device shown in FIG. 1. The deviceis very compact relative to its width. As the locking hook 1 and thelocking pawl 2 are arranged in the vicinity of the base plate 3, lockinghook 1 and locking pawl 2 are prevented from twisting.

FIG. 3 shows a side view of a device having a sliding element 10,according to an exemplary embodiment. The sliding element 10 is made atleast partially from a plastics material, and spring-loaded by means ofa second force means 16. By means of the sliding element 10, theclearance between the locking hook 1 located in the locked position andthe locking pin 8 is reduced. This clearance reduction may result in adevice that is relatively quiet and does not rattle.

A steel spring may be used as the second force means 16, as the force ofa steel spring is substantially independent of the ambient temperaturewhen compared with conventionally used rubber elements. The slidingelement 10, at least in the region of the locking pin 8, is made from aplastics material to avoid unpleasant noise generation, especially bythe friction of steel against steel. The spring path of the second forcemeans may be short (e.g., approximately 1-5 mm). The spring path of thesecond force means is preferably approximately 3 mm. A short spring pathmay allow the locking to be carried out relatively easily for the user.

The embodiment of the sliding element 10 shown in FIGS. 3 a-b includestwo second force means 16, in this case compression springs, arrangedparallel with one another and thus connected in parallel. Hereinafter,the terms “second force means 16” and “compression spring” are usedsynonymously. The sliding element 10 includes a receiver component 101at least partially made of plastics material in which the compressionsprings 16 are arranged. The receiver component 101 is arranged on aretaining plate 102, which is provided in a rigid manner on the baseplate 3 (shown, for example, in FIGS. 1 and 2) and is configured touniformly guide receiver component 101 along the retaining plate 102 inan effective range which may be approximately four times the pindiameter of the locking pin. The retaining plate includes a projection103 which is preferably chamfered and which cooperates with a recess 104of the receiver component 101 to hold the receiver component 101 in apretensioned, quiet position. Moreover, the projection 103 secures thereceiver component 101 in the unlocked position and prevents lockinghook 1 from falling out of the retaining plate 102.

The retaining plate 102 may be preassembled with the compression springsand the receiver component 101 on the base plate 3, for example, via aconnecting raised portion 105 and subsequently fixed, preferably in afastening point 106, especially on the seat structure.

FIG. 4 shows another embodiment of a sliding element 10 that may be usedwith a device of the present application. The sliding element 10 shownin FIG. 4 includes a corrugated spring steel sheet 16 as a second forcemeans (rather than the compression spring of FIGS. 3 a-b) which is fixedto the base plate 3 of the device via clamping lugs 108. The terms“second force means 16” and “spring steel sheet” may be usedsynonymously. The sliding element 10 includes a plastics component 107in the region between the spring steel sheet 16 and the locking pin 8.Plastics component 107 may prevent noises due to friction of the springsteel sheet 16 against the locking pin 8. A uniform pressing-in of thespring steel sheet 16 may be provided. The embodiment of sliding element10 shown in FIG. 4 may also provide an effective range of approximatelyfour times the pin diameter of the locking pin 8. Sliding element 10 maybe fixed to, for example, a seat structure by the fastening point 106.

FIG. 5 shows a detailed view of a device according to an exemplaryembodiment, the locking hook 1 shown located in the locked position. Thelocking hook 1 is encased, the encasing preferably being of plasticsmaterial. During the locking, i.e. during the rotation of the lockinghook 1 from the unlocked position into the locked position, the lockingpin 8 (previously shown) cooperates with the locking hook 1 at leastoccasionally and the first stop 13 of the locking hook 1 cooperates atleast occasionally with an end stop 33 of the base plate 3. The lockinghook 1, as well as the end stop 33, may include a raised portion 130(shown in FIG. 6) in the contact region of the locking hook 1 with thelocking pin 8 and/or the contact region of first stop 13 with the endstop 33. The locking hook 1 is deformed in these contact regions due tothe forces acting thereon during the locking (the forces are indicatedby arrows F1 in FIG. 5 a). The deformation is carried out resilientlydue to the shape of the locking hook 1 and/or the first stop 13 and dueto the resilience of the plastics material. The reactive deformationforce is indicated in FIG. 5 b by arrow F2.

During the action of force F1, a gap D1 may be created. Gap D1 mayfacilitate rotation of the locking pawl 2 from the release position intothe secured position in a simple and secure manner. On the other hand,due to the reactive deformation force F2, the gap D2 between the lockingpawl 2 and the locking hook 1 is very small, whereby rattling noises areavoided.

The gap D2 is, moreover, reduced or eliminated in the locked position bythe action of the first force means 5.

FIG. 6 shows the raised portion 130 of the encasing of the locking hook1, according to an exemplary embodiment. Raised portion 130 is locatedin the contact region of the locking hook 1 with the locking pin 8(previously shown). The locking hook 1 includes a hook jaw 17 which isprovided on both sides with the raised portion 130. Raised portion 130minimizes the clearance between the locking hook 1 and the locking pin8.

FIG. 7 shows the design of the device shown in FIG. 1 used with asignaling means 7, according to an exemplary embodiment. The signalingmeans 7 allows the emitting and/or receiving of mechanical signals SO,SI. Signals SO and SI may include, for example, position states,occupancy states or locking states.

The signaling means 7 is arranged parallel to the actuating component 4and thus is connected in parallel therewith. Signaling means 7 isoptional and may thus be retrofitted. Signaling means 7 cooperates withthe actuating component 4 by way of a molding 71 of the signaling means7 engaging in a recess 41 of the actuating component 4.

A mechanical, positive or negative signal SO, SI may, for example, beemitted to the device or received by the device, for example by means ofone or more Bowden cables, flexible or flexurally stiff wires, rods ormicroswitches which are arranged on the signaling means 7.

According to an exemplary embodiment, the mechanical signal SO, SIcauses the locking lever to be rotated, namely from the unlockedposition into the locked position. If, however, the actuating component4 is not rotated (e.g., because the locking pawl 2 does not secure thelocking lever 1), a display means 11 (shown in FIG. 8) may display anincomplete locking indication to the user. Such an incomplete lockingis, for example, an unsecured backrest of a vehicle seat.

The actuating component 4 includes the adjusting means 9 which, whenactuated by the actuating means 6, cooperates with the locking pawl 2only after rotating by a safety angle. The rotation of the locking hook1 from the unlocked position into the locked position is possibleindependent of the adjustment of the locking pawl 2 from the releaseposition into the secured position and without the locking hook beingsecured.

Views a and b show the locked position of the locking hook 1 which maybe signaled by means of a mechanical signal SO via, for example, aBowden cable 18. The mechanical signaling may be used, for example, inorder to synchronize the actuation of multiple devices so that theactuation takes place simultaneously.

Views c and d show the unlocked position of the locking hook 1 which maybe displayed on a further device (for example, a display means 11 shownin FIG. 8) in order to communicate to the user the unsecured state.

FIG. 8 shows an application of the device according to an exemplaryembodiment with a signaling means 7. In this application, the device isa backrest lock of a vehicle seat. The signaling means 7 emits amechanical signal SO to a further device, and/or receives a mechanicalsignal SI from the further device. The further device may be, forexample, a torque block of a center bearing of the vehicle seat. Thedevice includes a display means 11 in order to display to the user anunlocked state of the backrest lock and/or the torque block. The terms“device” and “backrest lock” as well as the terms “further device” and“torque block” may hereinafter be treated synonymously. Views a-c onlyshow the actuating means 6 schematically.

View a shows a sectional view of the backrest lock and the torque blockin the center bearing in the unlocked state of the backrest lock and inthe unlocked state 180 of the torque block. The display means 11 signalsan insecurely locked backrest.

View b shows a sectional view of the backrest lock and the torque blockin the center bearing in the locked state of the backrest lock and inthe unlocked state 180 of the torque block. The display means 11 signalsan insecurely locked backrest.

View c shows a sectional view of the backrest lock and the torque blockin the center bearing in the locked state of the backrest lock and inthe locked state of the torque block 180. The display means 11 signals asecurely locked backrest.

In order to be able to display the locked state of the torque block bymeans of the display means 11 of the backrest lock, the signaling means7 of the backrest lock receives the locking state of the torque block asa mechanical signal SI. The signal is transmitted by means of aflexurally stiff Bowden cable 18 which is arranged on the signalingmeans 7. Moreover, the signaling means 7 is connected to the displaymeans 11 by means of a connecting rod 19.

If the torque block, for example, is insecurely locked by soiling orother circumstances in the center bearing, although the backrest lock islocked, the flexurally stiff Bowden cable 18 thus prevents the signalingmeans 7 from being rotated and/or the locking pawl 2 from being rotatedfrom the release position F into the secured position S. Due to theconnecting rod 19, it is displayed on the display means 11 that thebackrest is not completely locked.

Even if the backrest lock is not completely locked, for example, whenthe locking pawl 2 is not rotated into the secured position S, aninsecurely locked device is displayed on the display means 11,independently of the locking state of the torque block, as the signalingmeans 7 is not reset, due to the adjusting means 9 on the actuatingmeans 4.

By the display means 11 and/or the possibility of mechanical signals SO,SI being emitted to and/or received from further devices, a very secureoperation of the device by the user is possible.

1. A device in a vehicle for locking and unlocking a locking pin of acomponent using a locking hook that cooperates at least one ofnon-positively and positively with the locking pin to provide anunlocked position and a locked position, the locking hook being actuatedbetween the unlocked position and the locked position by an actuatingcomponent, the device comprising: a signaling means for emitting amechanical signal to at least one of another of the device and adisplay, the signaling means being connected to and cooperating with theactuating component to emit the mechanical signal.
 2. The device ofclaim 1, wherein the signaling means is connected in parallel with theactuating component.
 3. The device of claim 1, wherein the mechanicalsignal represents at least one of the locked position and the unlockedposition of the locking hook.
 4. The device of claim 1, wherein thedevice is connected in parallel with the another of the device via thesignaling means.
 5. The device of claim 4, wherein the mechanical signalsynchronizes the device and the another of the device.
 6. The device ofclaim 1, wherein the display is configured to indicate, based on areceived mechanical signal, an indication of whether the locking hook isin the locked position or the unlocked position.
 7. The device of claim1, wherein the signaling means is configured to receive a mechanicalsignal from at least one of another vehicle component and the another ofthe device.
 8. The device of claim 7, wherein the received mechanicalsignal acts on the actuating component to actuate the locking hook. 9.The device of claim 1, further comprising a locking pawl configured tobe adjusted between a secure position and a release position, the secureposition securing the locking hook in the locked position.
 10. Thedevice of claim 9, wherein the secure position prevents the locking hookfrom moving from the locked position to the unlocked position.
 11. Thedevice of claim 9, wherein the actuating component comprises anadjusting means configured cooperate with the locking pawl only after arotation through a safety angle.
 12. The device of claim 9, wherein theadjustment of the locking pawl from the release position into thesecured position is configured to be controlled by a mechanical signalof a further device, the mechanical signal received at the signalingmeans.
 13. The device of claim 1, further comprising a sliding elementconfigured to reduce a clearance distance between the locking pin andthe locking hook when the locking pin is engaged by the locking hook inthe locked position.
 14. The device of claim 13, wherein the slidingelement comprises a force means providing a force to reduce theclearance distance, the force provided by the force means beingsubstantially independent of the ambient temperature.
 15. The device ofclaim 1, wherein the locking hook is at least partially encased by aplastics material.
 16. The device of claim 15, the encasing comprisingone of notches and bulged portions configured to reduce a clearancedistance between the locking pin and the locking hook in the lockedposition.
 17. A device in a vehicle for locking and unlocking a lockingpin of a component using a locking hook that cooperates at least one ofnon-positively and positively with the locking pin to provide anunlocked position and a locked position, the locking hook being actuatedbetween the unlocked position and the locked position by an actuatingcomponent, the device comprising: a signaling means configured toreceive a mechanical signal from at least one of a vehicle control andanother of the device; wherein the signaling means is connected to theactuating component and the actuating component is configured to actuatebased on the received mechanical signal; wherein the vehicle control andthe another of the device are not directly associated with the componentand the device.
 18. A device for locking and unlocking a backrest of amotor vehicle seat, the device comprising: a signaling means forreceiving a mechanical signal from at least one of a vehicle control,another of the device, and a display, the signaling means being inaddition to a primary actuating means of the device, wherein thesignaling means and the primary actuating means are both connected to anactuating component of the device that actuates the device between anunlocked position and a locked position, the actuating component beingconfigured to actuate based on the received mechanical signal, thesignaling means connecting and cooperating in parallel with theactuating component.